Sol and Ashley on the mend

Koen Freriks

2 maart 2006, 20:28

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that left-back Ashley Cole will be out for at least 3 weeks with an ankle sprain. However the coach is optimistic that Cole and fellow defender Sol Campbell, who has struggled with and ankle injury, will be back for the end of the month.

Cole was injured less than 10 minutes into his comeback from a thigh strain and broken foot. Whilst Campbell has not played a game since he had a nightmare against West Ham back on February 1st. However worse was to come for Campbell as he suffered a nasty injury to his ankle, which has kept him out for over a month.

"Ashley will be out for three weeks minimum because of an ankle sprain. It is on the left foot and it is nothing to do with the surgery he had before, but it is still a pain that stops you from playing," revealed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Wenger said, commenting on Campbell, "He is doing very well in training, I believe he will be out for another two weeks maximum. One week to get back to full training and another week to get back for a run-out in a game."

England are also suffering because of the injuries, Wayne Bridge took Cole's place in the recent friendly against Uruguay but then he was taken off on a stretcher with suspected ligament damage, Whilst Campbell is available as a replacement for Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, however other players are lined up before Campbell including Wes Brown and Ledley King.